Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

Work for It by Talia Hibbert

28 reviews

tyras_bookshelf's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny inspiring tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I was a little skeptical and confused at first by Olu’s dramatic inner monologue. I literally thought he was a previous human turned alien looking for love (and I would have loved to read about it) but really he’s just a heartsore human looking to run away from his troubles. I get it, join the club. 

So he flits off to this little town (in the same universe as Hibbert’s The Fake Boyfriend Fiasco and Untouchable so there are some fun cameos) where he meets our lovely resident grump Griff. 
Griff (with a ton of dead mama issues and a general lack of self-esteem because the people of the village treat him terribly) and Olu (with a ton of alive but abusive daddy issue and maybe too much entitlement but also a bruised, and rightfully so, ego) hit it off in a weird, grumpy, flirty sort of way that makes you think the book will be an immediate “lovers” vibe. 
 
Plot twist: not so much! 
 
So they are into each other but Olu has some trauma and lashes out—the man is like 36 and needs some therapy. Not judging his journey but being mean isn’t hot—which makes it very awkward when Olu shows up the next day at Griff’s job! I really thought his fake reason for being in the village and visiting the farm was gonna mean more later and it doesn't which feels like a miss but there was plenty of drama between the men so that's fine. 
 
It’s forced proximity, two grumpys no sunshines, small town romance, some very spicy scenes, and eventual improved communication but the friendly, flirty, “enemy” thing got kinda exhausting TBH. Overall a very fun, HEA with stellar character growth and connection—as to be expected with Mrs. Talia Hibbert. 


BTW, Griff is my favorite and I would definitely choose him if they broke up. 
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fran's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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amris's review against another edition

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emotional slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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ruthiedr89's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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reminiscences's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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tamarant4's review against another edition

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emotional relaxing slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

I’ve never seduced someone I don’t know. Fuck, living in a place like this, I don’t think I’ve ever talked to someone I don’t know. [chapter 2]
This is one of Hibbert's earlier novels and one of her few M/M romances. Griff Everett gains more satisfaction from plants than from people: he's the manager of a small fruit farm and responsible for the wild success of its fruit cordials, and he is also openly bisexual in the small town where he grew up, and where his mother committed suicide just after his 18th birthday. He has one (1) friend, Rebecca, and has never had a proper relationship, just one-night stands. 
Olumide Olusegun-Keynes is gorgeous but damaged, a Londoner through and through who's in deep depression after being outed and blackmailed. (I believe this story is background to another book.) Olu decides to take a break in Fernley, picking elderflowers at Fernley Farm. The attraction between him and Griff is instant -- but Olu's shaking when they sneak a kiss in the alleyway behind the pub...
This was an enjoyable read, if somewhat frustrating in the usual romance-novel way (could their issues be resolved by actual communication? why, yes, who'd have thought). The aspect that worked really well for me, though, was Hibbert's treatment of mental health issues. Both Griff and Olu struggle with depression, and for Griff it's all tied in with his mother's mental health issues and suicide. What they learn from one another is to love someone for who they are, regardless of how depressed that person is.
Fulfils the ‘by a neurodivergent author’ rubric of the 52 books in 2024 challenge.

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peachani's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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mayareadsxo's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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bookishmillennial's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I enjoy most books for what they are, & I extract lessons from them all. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial 

I’m biased because I am a Talia Hibbert stan til the day I leave earth!!!! 

Look, it’s ~*~Talia Hibbert~*~ so expect tenderness, prickly characters, and lots of individual as well as relationship growth🫶🏽

You’ll find:
-M/M with grumpy x grumpy dynamic 
(&they become such softies for each other😭)
-Age gap (~10 years)
-Small village/town
-Therapy & mental health rep (depression) 
-Addiction, loss, & grief discussed
-Two humans who deserve love regardless of their “baggage” 🥰

I listened to the audiobook on Everand — both narrators (dual first-person, present-tense POV) were fantastic! 

I had a wonderful time & will read anything TH writes!

steam rating: 4/5 — they’re so horny lmao🤭 I love them your honor !!!!  

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nickoliver's review against another edition

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emotional funny fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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